Kike Hernandez previously played for the Dodgers on two separate occassions.
Kike Hernandez (L) and LeBron James (R) [Image via SI]
In the midst of the ongoing spring training, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to make moves. The National League west side have now re-signed one of their former players Enrique ‘Kike’ Hernandez.
The fan-favorite is returning to the Dodger Stadium in California on a one-year, $4 million deal. The news of his move was broken out by none other than Hernandez himself.
The 32-year spent six season with the team before moving to the Boston Red Sox. He would later find his way back to the Dodgers in 2023 and spent the second half of the season with them. At the end of the campaign he became a free agent and entered the free agency market.
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This move of Hernandez comes after the team traded away veteran outfielder Manuel Margot to the Minnesota Twins. In exchange of this, they received one of Twins’ top prospect Noah Miller.
With Margot now gone, this opened up space for Hernandez on the roster. He will now take the superutility role on the team. The 2020 World Series took to his X account to announce this decision and wrote:
Sources say….. I’m back!!! 1st to break news @myself
Kike Hernandez announcing his return to Dodgers on X.
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Social media reactions towards Kike Hernandez re-signing with Dodgers
While the news of Kike Hernandez re-joining the Dodgers has brought out several positive reactions, there have also been some wild reactions with comparisons of him with LeBron James. At the end of last season, speculations regarding the retirement of NBA great had emerged.
However, during the ESPY awards, the Lakers star squashed this talks and claimed he will be returning for his 21st season. This words from James have somehow made it’s way in conversations regarding Kike Hernandez as both posted several cryptic messages prior to their main announcement.
Kike Hernandez (Image via Sportsnet)
Hernandez would take to his Instagram stories and reshare his message during his exit from the team in 2021. This led to concerns among fans. However, in the next story, he revealed the truth regarding his future.
Fans on X have since then trolled him and claimed “You’re not LeBron buddy“. Check out some reactions regarding this below:
pic.twitter.com/jm6tJ4F1mx
— Nick Right (@DodgerDougan) February 26, 2024
Need to hear it from Passan first.
— The Skippers View (@TheSkippersView) February 26, 2024
While the fans had their say, Hernandez will now be looking forward for his third stint with the team. Despite undergoing a sports hernia surgery during the Winter in 2023, the Puerto Rican star will be available for selection on Opening Day in Seoul, South Korea when the Dodgers face off against the San Diego Padres.
